Universal attachment flange

Abstract

A universal attachment flange to connect equipment utilized to perform a task to various connection arrangements. A universal attachment flange is provided with a plurality of hole patterns to permit a bolted attachment of the flange to other devices that present varying patterns of bolt receiving holes. The universal attachment flange is capable of connection to a variety of four (4) hole patterns and at least one three (3) hole pattern. In one form the universal attachment flange includes a through hole threaded to receive a connection fitting.

1. A universal attachment flange adapted to connect to an attachment flange receiving connection, said universal attachment flange comprising:
 a body defining a pair of spaced apart faces, one of said faces adapted to be secured to the attachment flange receiving connection in face-to-face relation, 
 a pattern of through holes extending completely through said body between said faces, 
 said pattern comprising a combination of through holes configured to align with a plurality of different hole patterns presented by various attachment flange receiving connections wherein said pattern on said body is configured to align with and permit passage therethrough of bolts inserted into bolt holes presented by hole patterns located on any one of three bolt circles, a radially outer bolt circle, a middle bolt circle and a radially inner bolt circle, and wherein said pattern on said body is configured to align with sets of four (4) bolt holes in an attachment flange receiving connection which are located ninety degrees (90°) apart on any one of said bolt circles, and wherein said hole pattern on said body includes oblong holes having semi-circular end surfaces defined by a radius R, wherein the dimension twice R is greater than the diameter of the bolts used to secure the universal attachment flange to an attachment flange receiving connection. 
 
   
   
     2. A universal attachment flange as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said hole pattern additionally includes round holes defined by said radius R. 
   
   
     3. A universal attachment flange as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said pattern on said body is defined by holes formed on an outer bolt circle BC 1 , a middle bolt circle BC 2 , and an inner bolt circle BC 3  and wherein said bolt circles are concentric and coaxial with a centerline perpendicular to said faces includes four elongated holes, each having a radially inner semi-circular end surface defined by said radius R struck from a point P 1 , where four radial lines, disposed ninety degrees (90°) apart, intersect middle bolt circle BC 2  and a radially outer semi-circular end surface fanned by said radius R struck from a point P 2  where each of said four radial lines, ninety degrees (90°) apart, intersect outer bolt circle BC 1  said oblong holes having parallel side wall surfaces connecting said semi-circular end surfaces. 
   
   
     4. A universal attachment flange as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said pattern on said body includes two additional oblong holes adjacent and on either side of one of said four oblong holes, said two additional oblong holes each having a radially outer semi-circular end surface defined by said radius R struck from a point P 5  where a radial line sixty degrees (60°) on either side of said one of said radial lines passing through said one of said four oblong holes intersects said middle bolt circle BC 2 , said two additional holes further including an inner semi-circular end surface defined by said radius R struck from a point P 4  on said inner bolt circle BC 3  where a radial line forty-five degrees (45°) on either side of said one of said radial lines passing through said one of said four oblong holes intersects said inner bolt circle BC 3 , said two additional oblong holes having parallel sidewall surfaces connecting said semi-circular end surfaces. 
   
   
     5. A universal attachment flange as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said pattern on said body further includes two round holes defined by said radius R struck from a point P 3  where inner bolt circle BC 3  intersects a line forty-five degrees (45°) on either side of a radial line passing though the one of said four oblong holes. 
   
   
     6. A universal attachment flange as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said pattern is defined by holes on an outer bolt circle BC 1  a middle bolt circle BC 2 , and an inner bolt circle BC 3  wherein said bolt circles are concentric and coaxial with a centerline perpendicular to said faces and includes four elongated holes having radially inner semi-circular end surfaces formed by radius R struck from a point P 6  where the inner bolt circle BC 3  intersects each of four radial lines ninety degrees (90°) apart and a radially outer semi-circular end surface defined by radius R struck from a point P 7  where each of said four radial lines intersects said outer bolt circle BC 1 , said oblong holes having parallel side wall surfaces connecting said semi-circular end surfaces. 
   
   
     7. A universal attachment flange as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said pattern further includes two round holes defined by radius R struck from a point P 7  where said middle bolt circle BC 2  intersects a radial line sixty degrees on either side of one of said radial lines passing through one of said four oblong holes. 
   
   
     8. A universal attachment flange as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said flange further includes a through hole to receive a connection fitting. 
   
   
     9. A universal attachment flange as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said flange further includes a through hole to receive a connection fitting. 
   
   
     10. A universal attachment flange as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said flange further includes a through hole to receive a connection fitting. 
   
   
     11. A universal attachment flange as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said flange further includes a through hole to receive a connection fitting. 
   
   
     12. A universal attachment flange as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said flange further includes a through hole to receive a connection fitting. 
   
   
     13. A universal attachment flange as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said flange further includes a through hole to receive a connection fitting. 
   
   
     14. A universal attachment flange as claimed in  claim 7  wherein said flange further includes a through hole to receive a connection fitting.